Jenny was two and a half years old now and doted upon by most everyone. In fact she had her two grandfathers wrapped around her pudgy little finger. Jenny was staying with the Hickoks while Jasper and Sally were in Kansas City for a newspaper convention. Jasper decided that they needed some time alone and arranged for his parents to watch the girl, while he and Sally escaped for the week.

Jasper was very concerned about Sally. Not as concerned as he was during her first pregnancy, but concerned nonetheless. For a while, Jasper had convinced himself that Sally would die during childbirth, just like her mother. So he had gone out of his way to ensure that all her whims and needs were taken care of. Unfortunately Jasper’s attentions had driven Sally crazy. But Jasper had calmed down considerably once he saw that Sally was healthy after giving birth to their daughter. But he still worried and when Jasper’s boss, Mr. Schultz, told him about the convention, Jasper had persuaded Sally to come along. He wanted her to have the chance to get away and relax and he didn’t want to be away from her, just in case something happened. But Jasper had found a new worry. He now worried about something happening here, when they were away from home. He did however do his level best to keep it to himself.

But relaxing was something that was very difficult for Sally to do, especially at night, with the baby inside her, kicking at her ribs. She placed her hand on what she hoped was the baby’s foot and pushed down, relieved to be able to take a breath. She was due in two months, but she was already bigger than what she was before she delivered Jenny. She crawled back into bed and tried to sleep, but she kept tossing and turning, her back beginning to ache. She pressed her bulging belly against Jasper’s spine, while a small smile flickered across her face as she felt the baby kick his father’s back. Good, Sally thought, now he can know what it feels like.

Jasper began to stir as he felt the small movements against him. His eyes opened and he found Sally smiling at him. "Can’t sleep?" he asked softly.

"No," Sally said irritably. "Your son can’t stop moving." Sally was convinced that this baby was a boy. Why else did it move around so much? "And my back hurts," she added, unable to keep the whine from her voice.

"Turn over," Jasper commanded. When Sally rolled onto her other side, he began kneading her tense muscles. He kept on massaging Sally until he saw her eyes begin to droop as she finally began to relax. Once he heard Sally start to breath regularly, he stopped rubbing her back and placed his hand on Sally’s belly. No wonder she couldn’t sleep, the movements inside her felt like a small herd of horses. But Jasper thoroughly enjoyed the sensation. He still had trouble believing that there was a little person just beneath his hand. He hoped that Sally was right, that they were going to have a boy. Even though he loved his daughter, more than he could have ever imagined, the thought of a son was something he often dreamed of.

"Night Noah," he whispered. "You get to sleep now, you hear. You keep moving about and your Ma won’t get any rest, then I’ll be the one paying the price tomorrow. So do your Pa a favor and keep it down some." He continued to speak softly, as he gently rubbed Sally’s belly. They had decided on the name Noah when they had recalled how close Jasper’s youngest sister, Bonnie, had been to being named Noah, in spite of the fact she was a girl.

Sally opened her eyes and smiled. Whatever Jasper was doing was working, the baby was quieting down. She wasn’t sure if it was his words or his gentle hand movements, but Sally didn’t care what it was, anything to get that baby settled so she could get some sleep.

"Jasper," she said, turning over and running a hand through his hair.

"Hmm."

"You sure about not moving here?" Sally asked. While at the convention, the owner of the Kansas City newspaper had offered Jasper a job. He had turned it down, but Sally still had doubts about this refusal, and there had been others as well. In fact, Jasper had turned down every offer that had come to him since graduating from the University of Nebraska. She understood why he was rejecting them and she felt so guilty about it.

"Positive," Jasper replied, taking one of her hands and kissing it. He knew that Sally would die living in a big city and then so would he. Sally didn’t belong in the city, it was much too confining for her. The few years they spent in Lincoln had been difficult for her. Jasper also wanted his children to get the chance to grow up with their extended family around them and be able to see the world as he saw it when he was a child. Seemed like every place was getting civilized and he wanted his children to appreciate the west while it still existed. "Besides I got a better offer."

"What’s that?"

"A publisher read some of the stories I wrote about Grandpa Spoon and he wants me to write a book about him."

"Really?" Sally said excitedly. "Why didn’t you tell me ‘bout it earlier?"

"You were already in bed," Jasper explained. Sally had been out to dinner with some of the other wives while their husbands had been exploring the Kansas City nightlife. When he returned he thought she was asleep. "Ain’t that better than living here?" he smiled.

"Yeah," Sally replied, pulling Jasper as close as she could.

Kitty McCloud wandered through the streets of downtown Omaha. She was here to pick up some things for her wedding, which was scheduled to occur in three months. She was engaged to Martin Miller, the owner of the Miller ranch, one the largest and fastest growing properties in Nebraska.

Kitty wished that Sally and her mother were here, but then again, maybe she was glad Sally wasn’t here. Sally was a very poor actress and she had been having a very difficult time mustering any enthusiasm for Kitty’s wedding. And when Kitty’s younger brother, Hunter, broke his arm, Lou too had been unable to come with Kitty. So here she was, shopping by herself. But she didn’t mind, she needed the time alone. Time she needed to reflect.

Kitty’s brother Nick had married almost two years ago, to a lovely girl named Martha. Both Nick and Martha were the owners of the general store. After Tompkins died, Buck had sold the store to Kid, who had passed it along to his son.

It irked Kitty to know that her brother was married and only after being engaged for six months, while she had been engaged for over a year and a half. Even Ellie Hickok was engaged now and Jasper had begun taking bets on whether or not his sister would marry before Kitty.

Kitty sighed softly as she stepped into a store, a hat catching her eye. As she stood in the store, trying on the hat, she glanced out the window. Kitty grimaced as she saw him, Lucas Henry. Lucas was one of her father’s ranch hands. She would recognize him anywhere, with his close cropped dark hair and deep-set brown eyes. She despised everything about him, in particular, the way his face appeared to be chiseled out of granite and the way his muscles stood out in taut cords whenever he was working. Take now for instance, Lucas was putting his shoulder into a wagon, helping some farmer remove his wheel. Kitty stood transfixed, watching as Lucas strained to lift the wagon. "Show off," she muttered to herself.

Once the wheel was successfully removed, Kitty took a step backwards. She was hoping that Lucas didn’t see her, but he did and when he looked at her, Kitty involuntarily put a hand to her head. She was surprised to see that her hair was not on fire because the look that Lucas sent her burned right through her.

Lucas was the reason she wasn’t married and she hated him for that. No matter what she did, Kitty couldn’t seem to stay away from Lucas. Not that he ever tried to make it easy for her. He was always around, like now, here he was in Omaha. Kitty was sure that he was here only because she was.

"I’ll be right back," she told the storekeeper, as she stepped outside. She marched to Lucas’ side and demanded, "Why are you here?"

"I volunteered to help you and your packages get home," Lucas said easily. "Seems as if your Pa didn’t think you could manage on your own and he needed Riley back home." Riley was the man who had originally escorted Kitty to Omaha.

"I can manage just fine without your help, thank you," Kitty hissed, angry with Lucas for manipulating the situation to his advantage. Kitty knew good and well that her father could have sent any number of hands to see her home, but no, somehow it was Lucas who was here.

"You hungry?" Lucas asked, ignoring the irritation in Kitty’s voice.

"No."

"Well I was just gonna get some lunch," Lucas smiled. "Care to join me?"

"I have other plans," Kitty said haughtily. But when Lucas walked towards a restaurant, she went with him. It was always like that. What on earth was wrong with her? She was an engaged woman and engaged to a handsome and wealthy man. But whenever she got within spitting distance of Lucas Henry, her common sense just up and vanished.

Kitty always thought of herself as practical, while most people thought of her as vain. She had the most striking blue eyes and curls that made most girls green with envy. Kitty was well aware of how men looked at her and she made the most of it. But she never considered herself vain. It was just her nature to acknowledge what she had been blessed with. But it did bother her, more that just a little, when people referred to her as spoiled and shallow. She might be a little spoiled as her father indulged her greatly, but she was never shallow. When she tried to engage people in what she considered meaningful conversations, especially men, they were usually too busy looking at her bosom to even listen to what she had to say. Women did the same thing, but for completely different reasons. Since no one ever paid any attention to what she said, she had no idea how they could consider her shallow. Kitty glanced sideways at the man beside her, except for Lucas. Oh he looked, boy did he look. But he also listened.

As Kitty and Lucas sat in the restaurant, she was struck by the differences in the two men she was involved with. Both men where tall, but that was about all they had in common. Martin was lanky, whereas Lucas was muscular. Martin’s hair and eyes were both light, Lucas’ were both dark. Martin was wealthy and well-educated, Lucas was dirt poor and had been mostly self-educated. Martin ordered both their meals, while Lucas asked her what she wanted. Martin bought her expensive presents which he thought she would enjoy, Lucas bought her books, which he could ill afford because he knew how much she loved them. Damn him, she thought angrily, damn Lucas for being what he was.

For a while when Kitty had put off setting a wedding date, everyone just said it was nerves and she had gone along with that, not knowing what else it could be. But three months ago, Lucas arrived and after the first time he kissed her, Kitty set a wedding date. Lucas’ kiss had terrified her. She had never felt like that in her life. Martin’s kisses were quite ardent, but sometimes, Kitty felt like she could pick up a book and read it while he kissed her. Lucas’ kisses, on the other hand, sent her reeling. Even after she had announced her wedding date, Lucas continued to kiss her and Kitty couldn’t stop him. She didn’t want to stop him.

Lucas and Kitty finished their lunch and lingered in the restaurant until everyone else had left. "You ready to head out?" Lucas asked, glancing around at all the empty tables.

"Yeah," Kitty replied.

As they were about to leave, the restaurant owner approached them. "Me and the missus used to be just like you two," he beamed. "Sometimes you lose all track of time looking into your loved one’s eyes."

Kitty turned beet red at those words, while Lucas smiled. "Happens to me all the time," he replied softly.

"Jenny," Jimmy warned. "You better not go into the street." He watched as the small, dark-haired girl moved closer to the road. He knew she had heard him. He saw as the little girl turned her head just one little inch and gave him the most devilish of smiles.

"You best mind me," Jimmy told her, trying to sound stern.

Jenny then flashed him a radiant look as she lifted one foot from the step she stood on and mischievously put it on the road.

"Jennifer Hickok!" Jimmy scolded her loudly. "How many times have I told you not to go into the street?"

Jenny quickly withdrew her foot from the road and sat down on the steps in front the marshal’s office. She gave Jimmy a frown, signifying her utter disgust.

"Here," Jimmy smiled indulgently. He handed the girl a licorice whip as he sat down beside her. "Ain’t this a whole lot better than going in the street?"

"Mmm," Jenny replied, her mouth full of candy as she nodded her head vigorously.

"Well I guess it’s better than giving her spurs to play with," Buck grinned as he came to join them on the steps. "Things sure have changed."

"What?" Jimmy scoffed. "You don’t think that I learned a thing or two about youngsters over the years? Hell I raised four of ‘em."

"You raised?" Buck snorted. "You just did whatever Hannah told you to do."

Jimmy raised a brow at him. "Speaking of raising young ‘uns. How’s Al?" he asked, referring to Buck’s baby boy. His son was just a little over two. Both Buck and Helen had been flabbergasted to find themselves as parents, at their age. They had married about three years ago and were thoroughly enjoying the first and probably only child they would have together.

Buck had named the boy Aloysius, after Teaspoon. Much to everyone’s sorrow, the old Marshal had died almost four years ago, just months after Jasper and Sally’s wedding. A few weeks later, William Tomkins had also died. Buck found it quite ironic that the two men had died almost one right after the other, as if they were a matched set, one balancing the other.

"He’s growing like a weed," Buck said proudly.

Jenny stood up and put her sticky hands on Buck’s shoulders, giving him a resounding smack on the lips. She again muttered something unintelligible as her mouth was still full of candy. While Jimmy and Buck were talking, she had snagged herself another piece.

"And how’s my girl?" Buck asked Jenny fondly, uncaring that he was being covered with a sticky paste.

Jenny answered, to Buck’s ears it sounded like good but one never could be sure with her. He wished once again that Teaspoon was still around to see the girl, he would have loved her. Buck could almost hear his voice, ‘You’d better watch that one, she’s gonna be trouble.’ Buck watched as Jenny scrambled from his arms and leaned over Jimmy, trying to reach into the small bag beside him. She was searching for more licorice.

"I think you’ve had about enough," Jimmy said. Jenny ignored her grandfather and continued trying to reach into the bag as Jimmy kept pushing it out of her reach.

"More," Jenny wailed, her mouth finally empty. She stood upright and placed her hands on her hips as she glared at him.

"You spoiling my grandbaby?" Hannah said, coming to join them. She quickly scooped up the sticky little girl. "She’s a mess. What have you been doing with her?" she demanded.

"Nothing," Buck and Jimmy chorused, sounding a little bit like chastised schoolchildren.

"More," Jenny said plaintively to Hannah.

Hannah held out her hand expectantly as Jimmy gave her the bag. "She’s already had two pieces," he told her.

"This is your last one," Hannah said firmly as she gave Jenny one more piece of candy, while Buck and Jimmy exchanged looks. Hannah spoiled Jenny more than both of them put together. Hannah then adjusted the girl on her hip and turned to Jimmy. "I’ll take her home and get her cleaned up." She bent down and kissed Jimmy’s cheek. "You’re about as sticky as she is," Hannah whispered.

"You gonna clean me up too?" Jimmy whispered back, his eyes glinting wickedly as she straightened up.

"Maybe," Hannah said, boldly running her eyes over her husband’s seated figure. She then smiled, as she began to leave, "I’ll see you fellas later."

Buck shook his head, no wonder Jasper was the way he was. What else could he be with parents like that?

Jimmy casually stretched his arms upwards, "I think I’m gonna go home for lunch today. You mind telling my deputy?"

"Nah," Buck replied. He watched as Jimmy quickly caught up to Hannah and took Jenny from her arms, tossing the little girl into the air. Buck stood up and went inside, informing the deputy that the Marshal would return after lunch. Then he made up his mind to go home and have lunch with his own wife. Al usually took a nice, long afternoon nap.

When Kitty and Lucas left the restaurant, the two of them went shopping. But instead of buying things for her trousseau, Kitty bought Lucas a watch bob. He was forever pulling out an old timepiece from his pocket. Kitty thought that Lucas would look quite smart wearing his watch hanging from his vest.

"Thank you," Lucas said with a quizzical look on his face.

"You’re welcome."

Lucas took her arm, "Well let me treat you to dinner then. I saw a nice place just around the corner."

"You don’t have to," Kitty began.

Lucas tilted his head to one side, frowning slightly. "I know, two meals in one day. What would people say? But we both know it’s nothing, right?" he said, his voice challenging.

Kitty agreed reluctantly. It was nothing. Lucas was just a friend. What harm could come of spending time with a friend? Martin certainly never minded the time she spent with Lucas. In fact, Kitty was sure Martin hadn’t even noticed Lucas.

After dinner, Lucas escorted Kitty towards the hotel where she was staying. "You gonna be done shopping tomorrow?" he asked.

"Why?" Kitty said suspiciously.

"So I can take you home," Lucas replied, in an amused tone. "You forget that’s why your Pa sent me here?"

Kitty didn’t reply, she just walked faster. She had enjoyed herself much too much today and wanted to get away from Lucas as quickly as possible. Kitty was walking so fast that she stumbled. Lucas caught her about the waist, holding her close as he steadied her. Lucas realized that he probably wouldn’t be able to touch her like this for much longer. Even he wouldn’t carry on an affair with a married woman. But being with her, right here, right now, filled him with such a sense of bittersweet longing, he wished it would never end. It was this longing which made him kiss her. Always.

Slowly he bent his head towards Kitty’s as if to kiss her, while Kitty moved backwards. But when Lucas moved even closer to her, Kitty put her hands on his chest, melting into him as she met his lips with her own.

Lucas felt Kitty’s body against his and wrapped his arms around her, burying his lips in hers. When he finally released her, Kitty smoothed back her hair, "What’s so funny?" she demanded, noticing Lucas’ broad smile.

But Lucas just kept grinning and that irritated Kitty to no end. "What?" she shouted, giving up all pretext of dignity.

"Sometimes I get the feeling that you might actually like me," Lucas said, grinning at her.

"And what makes you think that?" Kitty snapped.

"You usually kiss men you hate like that?" Lucas asked with a lazy smile.

"I was just surprised," Kitty said softly.

Lucas raised a brow at her, "Oh come on, you can do better than that."

"It’s the truth," Kitty retorted. "I can’t help it if your pride won’t accept that."

"You mean if I kissed you again, when you were ready of course, nothing would happen?" Lucas asked, stepping closer to her.

"Yes," Kitty said, inching away, until her back hit the wall of the building behind her. "Nothing would happen."

"Care to prove it?"

"I’m ready anytime you are."

Softly Lucas kissed her throat, while Kitty involuntarily tipped her head back, allowing him better access to sensitive skin beneath her ear. Then letting his mouth travel upwards Lucas kissed her chin and finally her lips, all the while Kitty held her breath. When Lucas finally reached her mouth, Kitty kissed him back, his touch released all emotions she always tried so carefully to keep in check. Kitty drew Lucas to her and returned his kisses, uncaring that she was proving his supposition correct. All she wanted to do was kiss him and she didn’t stop until she heard a loud crash from inside the building behind her. When she heard the noise, Kitty snapped out of the trance Lucas’ kisses wove and quickly pushed him away.

"You forget yourself," she said archly. "I am engaged to be married."

"I never forget," Lucas responded. He picked up her hand and kissed her diamond engagement ring. "But sometimes you do."

"Go away," Kitty half shouted. She left his side and hurried to the hotel, Lucas trailing behind her. Kitty turned around, once she reached the hotel. Feeling more secure that she wouldn’t make of a fool of herself again with the throng of people gathered by the hotel, she asked politely. "Where are you staying?"

"The livery," Lucas said simply, while Kitty winced. "I’ll see you tomorrow," he said before he left her.

Lucas watched as Kitty gave him a dark look. They had returned from Omaha, a few days ago and he still didn’t think that she had forgiven him for even going to Omaha. But he didn’t care. Somehow he had to make her see that she would be miserable married to Martin Miller. He would rather see her married to almost anybody else. Lucas knew he wasn’t in her league and if he wasn’t the one to make her happy, he certainly hoped that she would find someone a whole lot better than Miller. Lucas didn’t think he had ever seen a more self-absorbed man. Not to mention the fact that it made him ill to see Martin put his hands on Kitty.

Kitty scowled when Lucas smiled at her. Once again he somehow finagled his way into being her escort. Kitty decided that her father must be blind not to see what Lucas had in mind. She tried half heartedly to convince herself once again that Lucas was only pursuing her to marry into the McCloud family. He just wanted a piece of her family’s ranch, which was becoming well known, as was her father. Some folks had taken to calling Kid a cattle baron.

As Kitty wandered about the general store, she called out to her brother, "You have done a fine job in here."

"Thanks," Nick replied, coming out of the storeroom. "Look what I found." He held out a very old ten cent novel. "You think I should show this to Uncle Jimmy?" he said with a grin.

Kitty took the worn book from her brother’s hand, "Wild Bill Hickok," she read aloud. "I’d burn it if I were you." She didn’t think her Uncle Jimmy wanted to be reminded of his past.

"Wild Bill?" Lucas asked softly.

Kitty stared at him. Lucas looked shaken to the core. "Long story," she said, eager to change to subject. "I think I’m ready to go now."

"Your father’s friend is Wild Bill Hickok?" Lucas asked, his voice rising with every word.

"No," Nick lied and badly too. His face always gave him away.

"Hickok," Lucas mused. He thought that Wild Bill, the one his mother had told him about was dead. "I figured the Marshal was just some relative of Wild Bill, not the genuine article."

"He-" Kitty began, but Lucas ignored her and rapidly left the store, with Kitty close on his heels.

"Where are you going?" she shouted. But Lucas continue to act like he didn’t even hear her.

As he approached the marshal’s office, Lucas watched as a red-haired woman gave a little girl to an Indian. The woman gave the child a kiss, before the Indian put her on his horse and rode away.

"Kitty," Hannah said with a smile, as she saw the Kitty approach. "How was your trip to Omaha?"

"The Marshal inside?" Lucas asked abruptly.

Hannah looked at him warily. She didn’t recognize this angry young man. "Yeah." When Lucas strode inside the office, Hannah took a step closer to the window so she could see inside.

"Aunty Hannah," Kitty began.

"Go get Nick," Hannah commanded. She didn’t like the idea of her husband being alone with that fella, he seemed more than just a little upset. When Hannah was sure that Kitty was on her way, she turned her attention back to the goings on inside. She wanted to run in immediately, but she knew better, Jimmy would never forgive her for interfering. It was one of the first promises she had made once they were married, that if anyone came looking for Jimmy, Hannah would stay out of the way. If Jimmy had his way, not interfering would be one of the wedding vows. But in spite of her promise, Hannah put her hand inside her reticule and wrapped her fingers around a small derringer inside, just in case.

"So Wild Bill lives," Lucas said slowly as he caught sight of Jimmy.

Jimmy didn’t respond, he just stared coldly at the young man. He looked vaguely familiar and then Jimmy placed him, he was one of Kid’s newer hands. Wasn’t his name Lucas Henry?

Suddenly a fist snaked out and caught Jimmy squarely on the jaw. As the two men fell to the ground exchanging blows, Lucas rasped in Jimmy’s ear, "You killed my Ma."

Jimmy stopped returning punches at stared at Lucas. "Your Ma?" he repeated dumbfounded.

"She died because you sent her to prison," Lucas shouted, delivering another blow, while Jimmy was too stunned by the words the young man said to react to the beating he was receiving.

"Who’s your Ma?" Jimmy yelped the last word, as a punch knocked the air from his lungs. He could almost swear that the last blow had cracked a rib.

"You forget her already?" Lucas yelled, hitting Jimmy again and again. "Her name was Sarah Downs."

Just then Nick, Kitty and Hannah burst through the door. Nick dragged Lucas off of Jimmy and tossed him into a jail cell. He stared at Jimmy’s wounded face and said, "I’ll go get the deputy."

Hannah helped her husband to her feet. "What is wrong with you?" she shouted at Lucas, as she lunged at him. But before she could reach him, Jimmy caught her and pulled her back, shutting the cell door. He figured that Lucas was safer in there than out here with his wife.

Hannah turned her attention to her husband, "You need to come home." She began to lead Jimmy to the door.

But before they got very far, Lucas reached through the cell bars and put a restraining hand on Jimmy. "How’s it feel, knowing you have another son?" Lucas said, his voice filled with loathing for the man in front of him.